Argyranthemum frutescens plant named &#39;argydupea&#39;

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of  Argyranthemum frustescens  plant named ‘Argydupea’ characterized by its upright vigorous plant habit, good field performance, double pink flowers, dark green coloured leaves, freely flowering with numerous inflorescences per plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED Argyranthemumfrutescens VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Argydupea’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofMarguerite Daisy plant, botanically known as Argyranthemum frutescensand referred to by the cultivar name ‘Argydupea’. The new cultivar is aproduct of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor inEnkhuizen, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was todevelop a more vigorous plant that flowers early with good fieldperformance during the whole summer.

DDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Marguerite Daisy plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plantin full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonablyobtained by conventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Marguerite Daisy plant. The data whichdefines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductionscarried out in Enkhuizen, The Netherlands. The plant history was takenon 25 weeks old plants, grown in the field in Enkhuizen, The Netherlandswith day temperatures ranging from 16 to 30 degree C., and nighttemperatures ranging from 10 to 16 degrees Celsius.

Color references are primarily to the RHS Color Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London where general terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. TABLE 1 Differences between the newcultivar ‘Argydupea’ and three similar cultivars ‘Summer Melody’ (U.S.Plant ‘Sugar Lace’ Patent ‘Powder Puff’ ‘Argydupea’ (Unpatented) No.11,763) (Unpatented Plant Height 30 cm 20 cm 25 cm 50 cm Plant Width60-70 cm 45 cm 45 cm 60 cm Foilage color N138B 146A 146A 146A Flowercolor 69B N155B  70A  75C Flower size 2.3-3.5 cm 1.5 cm 2-2.5 cm 3-4 cm

The Plant Classification - Botanical Argyranthemum frutescens cv.‘Argydupea’ Parentage Female parent Proprietary seedling section ofArgyranthemum frutescens, identified as number A 27-1. Breeder's code ofthe new plant is D 46-2 (unpatented). Male parent Unidentified sectionof Argyranthemum frutescens (unpatented) Propagation Type cuttingsTerminal cuttings Time to intiated roots 7-10 days at air temperature of2l degrees C. Time to develop roots 7-14 days at air temperature of 18degrees C. Plant Description Growth habit Upright Plant height 25-28 cmVigor Vigorous Speading area of plant 60-70 cm Strength Very goodBranching character Freely branching, plants do not require pinchingCrop time About 10 weeks are required to produce a finished floweringplant in a 10.5 cm container from a good developed cutting The StemDiameter 3-5 mm Shape Round, bit grooved Anthocyanin pigmentation AbsentLength of internode 1-2 cm Pubescence Absent Color 145A The FoliageArrangement Alternate Shape of leaf Bipinnatisect Leaf apex Acute Leafbase Attenuate Texture Thick glabrous smooth Length 4.5-9 cm Width1.5-3.5 cm Depth of incision Lanciniate Color Upper side N138B Lowerside 147B Pubescence Absent Petiole Absent Venation Shape Pinnate ColorN138B Flower Bud Peduncle Length 5-10 cm Strength Flexible TextureSmooth Color 144A Size of the bud Length 3-5 mm Diameter 4-5 mm ShapeRound Color 164B Inflorescence Diameter 2.3-3.5 cm Form Double floweredcapitulum with ± 100 ray florets with no disc florets, which give thedouble impression Receptacle height 0.5 cm Involucre/phyllaries 3 seriesof 5 bracts, tightly to receptacle Shape Elliptic, with broad apexMargin Entire Length 2-3 mm Color Upper: 143A Lower: 151A FragranceAbsent Quality of inflorescences ±100 flowers/plant depending on age andgrowing conditions Flowering period April til October in N-W Europe,plants flower continuously during this period Ray florets Shape of rayflorets Ligulate Apex Rounded, little incised Base Cordate Margin EntireColor 69B No. of ray florets per inflorescene 110 Size Length 0.9-1.1 cmWidth 0.4-0.5 cm Texture Smooth Ray florets and androecium AbsentGynoecium Pistil number One per floret, 110 per flower head Pistillength ±2 mm Style color Yellow green 144C Style length ±2 mm Stigmacolor Yellow orange 14A Stigma shape Bilobed Ovary color 144C

Seed

Seed production is not observed

Disease Resistance

No susceptibility nor resistance to fungal, bacterial or viral pathogenshas been noted. Material is free of virus and Chrysanthemum stunt viroid(CSVd).

1. A new and distinct variety of Argyranthemum frutescens plant,substantially as herein illustrated and described.